Means for operating liquid supply valves



Jan. 20, 1959 GORDON 2,869,584

MEANS FOR OPERATING LIQUID SUPPLY VALVES Filed May 12, 1954 2,869,584 MEANS FOR OPERATHNG LIQUID SUPPLY VALVES John Marion Gordon, Cremorne, near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, assignor to Gilbert & Barker Manufacturing Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, Alexandria,.near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Application May 12, 1954, Serial No. 429,303 Claims priority, application Australia May 19, 1953 Claims. 01. 137-630) This invention relates to means for operating liquid supply valves and is particularly applicable to control valves used for example in nozzles provided for dispensing petrol or like liquids from meter pumps under pressure.

Spring closed control valves for the above purpose, which are directly operated by a hand lever are well known, but these necessitate the application of considerable manual pressure by the operator in the course of their operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved means, for operating valves of the above kind, which is simple in operation and requires little physical exertion on the part of the operator.

According to the present invention the control or main valve in a dispensing nozzle device of the above kind, is adapted to be controlled by means of a servo-valve directly operated by light manual power and having ports and passages whereby portion of the pressure liquid, being controlled, may be admitted to and discharged from a cylinder containing a piston directly connected to said control valve and whereby said valve is openedand closed to pass liquid under pressure to a discharge nozzle or outlet.

A spring is provided to close said control or main valve upon its seat when the servo valve is in a position to admit pressure liquid to the said cylinder and thereby equalize the pressure above and below the piston.

When the servo-valve is operated to relieve the pressure in the cylinder the pressure liquid acts below the piston and raises the control valve against the action of the said spring and permits pressure liquid to pass to the discharge nozzle or outlet so long as the servo-valve remains in its present position.

To operate the servo-valve a hand operated trigger in the form of a lever is provided.

Referring to the darwings which illustrate the invention on an enlarged scale, more or less diagrammatically, the hand piece 10 is secured to the valve casing 11 which has an inlet connection 12 for attachment to a supply pipe for the liquid under pressure; a discharge fitting 13 having an internal strainer 14, is secured to the valve casing 11, beneath the main supply valve 15.

A servo-valve 16 is disposed in the body of the valve casing 11 and has an annular port 17 adapted to engage a passage 18, the lower end 19 of the servo-valve 16 when depressed by a trigger 20 is adapted to close a passage 21 also formed in the said valve casing 11.

The said valve casing 11 has a cylinder 22 in which there is a piston 23 having a tubular stem 24 the lower end of which has an annular flange 25 having openings 26 formed therein.

The annular flange 25 has a main supply valve support 27 secured thereto, said support 27 having a tubular boss 28 in which a valve seat is provided for a pilot valve 29 having a stem 30 which passes through the said tubular stem 24 and is connected to the said trigger 20 for operation thereby.

The main supply valve seats in the valve casing 11 and is held against the said support 27 by a washer 'said tubular boss 28.

2,869,584 Patented Jan. 20, 1959 31 and a disc nut 32 which latter is screwed upon the The valve casing 11 has a ported disc 33 disposed beneath the piston 23 and forming the base of the cylinder 22; a coiled spring 34 disposed concentrically with respect to the tubular stem 24 is under compression between the said ported disc 33 and the annular flange 25 and tends to normally close the main supply valve 15 upon its seat in the valve casing 11.

A coiled spring 35 disposed concentrically about the stem 30 of the pilot valve 29 is under compression between the annular flange 25 and the pilot valve 29 and tends to normally close the said valve 29 upon its seat in the main supply valve support 27.

The trigger 20 is hand operated in normal manner, by the operator placing a hand upon the hand grip 36 formed upon the handpiece 10 whilst engaging the: said trigger 20 by means of the fingers, in a squeezing action the said trigger 2tl is mounted upon a pivot 37 upon a lug 38 extending from thesaid handpiece 10 in accordance with the first order of levers, the trigger 20 on the manually operated side of the pivot 37 is connected to the pilot valve stem 34), as stated above; and the opposite end of the said trigger 2% is received in a bifurcated upper portion 39 of the said servo-valve 16. v

The said annular port 17 of the servo-valve 16 controls communication from the cylinder 22 to the low pressure or atmospheric side of the main supply valve 15 by means of passages it? and it and the lower end 19 of said servovalve 16 controls communication of pressure liquid from casing ll through passages 41 and 21, space 42 below end 19 of servo-valve 16 and passage as to the cylinder 22.

The ports 43 in the disc 33 below the piston 23 serve to equalise the pressure below the piston with that in the inlet 12 and the openings 26 in the annular flange 25 enable pressure fluid to pass to the pilot valve 29.

A spring 44 disposed beneath the servo valve 16 serves to normally raise the latter to its inoperative position corresponding with the release of the trigger 20 and the closing of the main supply valvelS and the pilot valve pressure fluid within the valve casing 11 exerts pressure beneath the piston 23 which rises, and carries with it the tubular stem 24 with the result that the main valve 15 opens to allow fluid to pass. to the discharge fitting 13 under the control of the servo valve 16 and the trigger 20. i

If now it is desired to close the main valve 15 the trigger 20 is lowered, the servo-valve rises under action of its spring i -l and the cylinder 22 is again connected by passages 4-0, 21 and 41 to the pressure fluid within the chamber 11, equalizing the pressure above and below the piston 23 with the result that the main valve 15 is closed by its spring 34. i i

The pilot valve 29 may now be operated by the trigger 2b to eiiect what is known as topping oil? the charge of fluid which has been allowed to pass from the main valve 15; and when topping off has been completed the trigger 20 is released and the spring 35 closes the pilot valve.

1. In a liquid dispensing nozzle, in combination, a valve casing secured to a handpiece wherein there is a medially pivoted trigger, an inlet connection and a discharge fitting communicating with said casing, a valve structure comprising a main supply valve located in said valve casing seated above said discharge fitting and a pilot valve inde pendently seated in said main supply valve and operativei 1y connected to said trigger, a servo-valve connected to said trigger, a cylinder within said valve casing, a piston within said cylinder operatively connected to said main valve, said cylinder having a port above said piston communicating alternatively by means of said servo-valve withsaid inlet connection and with said discharge fitting respectively, said cylinder beneath said piston being open to said casing and subject to liquid under pressure passing therethrough,

2. In a liquid dispensing nozzle, in combination, a valve casing secured to a handpiece wherein there is a medially pivoted trigger, an inlet connection and a discharge fitting communicating with said casing, a valve structure comprising a main supply valve located in said valve casing and seated above said discharge fitting and a pilot valve independently seated in said main supply valve and operatively connected to said trigger, a servo-valve connected to said trigger, a cylinder Within said valve casing, a piston within said cylinder connected by a tubular stem to said main valve, spring means operatively connected with said tubular stem for closing said main valve, said cylinder having a port above said piston communicating alternatively by means of said servo-valve with said inlet connection and with said discharge fitting respectively, said cylinder beneath said piston being open to said casing and subject to liquid under pressure passing therethrough.

3. In a liquid dispensing nozzle, in combination, a valve casing secured to a handpiece wherein there is a medially pivoted trigger, an inlet connection and a discharge fitting communicating with said casing, a cylinder having a piston connected to a tubular stem, a main valve seated in said casing for controlling fluid flow between said inlet connection and said discharge fitting, said main valve being connected to said stern so as to be raised thereby, a servo-valve within the casing operatively connected to said trigger to control the movement of said piston, said cylinder being connected at one side of said piston alternatively by passages with said inlet connection and by passages with said discharge fitting by means of said servo-valve under the control of said trigger and said cylinder communicating at the other side of said piston with said inlet connection, and a pilot valve within said casing also for controlling fluid flow between said inlet connection and said discharge fitting, said pilot valve being operated by said trigger and seated in said main valve.

4. In a liquid dispensing nozzle, in combination, a valve casing secured to a handpiece wherein there is a medially pivoted trigger, an inlet connection and a discharge fitting communicating with said casing, a cylinder having a piston connected to a tubular stem, a main valve seated in said casing for controlling fluid flow between said inlet connection and said discharge fitting, said main valve being connected to said stem so as to be raised thereby, a servo-valve within the casing and being operatively connected to said trigger to control the movement of said piston, said servo valve having an annular port for relieving the liquid pressure in the said cylinder above the said piston, said servo-valve also having a lower end for controlling the passage of pressure fluid from said inlet connection to said cylinder above the said piston and said cylinder communicating at the other side of said piston with said inlet connection, and a pilot valve within said casing also for controlling fluid flow between said inlet connection and said discharge fitting, said pilot valve being operated by said trigger and seated in said main valve.

5. A valve structure, comprising, in combination, a casing having a valve chamber and inlet and outlet means in communication therewith; main valve means and pilot valve means in said valve chamber of said casing for controlling the flow of fluid from said inlet means through said valve chamber of said casing and to said outlet means, said main valve means being movable between a closed position and an open position wherein fluid may flow through said valve chamber of said casing at a first rate and said pilot valve means being movable between a closed position and an open position wherein fluid may ,flow through said valve chamber of said casing at a second rate smaller than said first rate; and operating means connected to both of said valve means for moving the same open position thereof, said operating means including a cylinder portion formed with said casing and having one end in communication with said valve chamber thereof, a piston connected to said main valve means and slidably arranged in said cylinder portion, conduit means in said casing for placing the other end of said cylinder portion in communication with said valve chamber and said outlet means of said casing, servo-valve means cooperating with said conduit means for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough biasing means for biasing said main valve means toward said closed position thereof, and manually operable actuating means operatively connected to said pilot valve means for moving the same between said positions thereof and operatively connected to said servovalve means for controlling the flow of fluid through said conduit means so that when said operating means is in said closed position thereof said other end of said cylinder portion is in communication only with said valve chamber of said casing so that the fluid pressure prevailing therein acts on both sides of said piston with equal forces thereby allowing said biasing means to maintain said main valve means in said closed position thereof and so that when said operating means is in said open position thereof said other end of said cylinder portion is in communication only with said outlet means so that the fluid pressure prevailing within said valve chamber acts on the side of said piston nearest said valve chamber with a force greater than the force with which the fluid pressure prevailing in said outlet means acts on the other side of said piston and moves said main valve means to said open position thereof against the force of I said biasing means.

" casing; a cylinder in said casing having an end wall and communicating at the sidethereof opposite said end wall with said valve chamber, a piston arranged in said cylinder for sliding movement toward and away from said end wall; a main valve in said valve chamber seated on said valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said inlet and said outlet means thereof and being operatively connected with said piston so as to be raised thereby from said valve seat; conduit means in said casing for placing the space between said end wall of said cylinder and said piston in communication with said inlet means and said outlet means; servo-valve means cooperating with said conduit means for controlling movement of said piston, said servo-valve means being operatively connected to said trigger for movement between a first position in which said space is connected to said inlet means and a second position in which said space is connected to said outlet means; and a pilot valve within said valve chamber also for controlling fluid flow between said inlet and outlet means thereof, said pilot valve being seated in said main valve and being connected to said trigger to be operated thereby.

7. In a nozzle for dispensing liquids, in combination, a casing having a valve chamber and having inlet and outlet means communicating therewith, said outlet means being formed with a valve seat; a trigger pivoted on said casing; a cylinder in said casing having an end wall and communicating at the side thereof opposite said end wall with said valve chamber; a piston arranged in said cylinder for sliding movement toward and away from said end wall; a main valve in said valve chamber seated on said valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said inlet and said outlet means thereof and bemg operatively connected with said piston so as to be raised thereby from said valve seat; conduit means in said casing for placing the space between said end wall of said cylinder and said piston in communication with said inlet means and said outlet means; servo-valve means cooperating with said conduit means for controlling movement of said piston, said servo-valve means being operatively connected to said trigger for movement between a first position in which said space is connected to said inlet means and a second position in which said space is connected to said outlet means; spring means engagingsaid servo-valve means and tending to maintain the same in said first position thereof, said servo-valve means being movable by said trigger against the pressure of said spring means from said first to said second position thereof; and a pilot valve within said valve chamber also for controlling fluid flow between said inlet and outlet means thereof, said pilot valve being seated in said main valve and being connected to said trigger to be oper' ated thereby.

8. In a nozzle for dispensing liquid, in combination, a casing having a valve chamber and having inlet and outlet means communicating therewith, said outlet means being formed with a valve seat; a trigger pivoted on said casing; a cylinder in said casing having an end wall and communicating at the side thereof opposite said end wall with said valve chamber; a piston arranged in said cylinder for sliding movement toward and away from said end wall and having a tubular stem projecting into said valve chamber; a main valve in said valve chamber seated on said valve seat for controlling fluid flow be tween said inlet and said outlet means thereof and being operatively connected to said tubular stem so as to be raised thereby when said piston moves toward said end wall of said cylinder; conduit means in said casing for placing the space between said end wall of said cylinder and said piston in communication with said inlet means and said outlet means; servo-valve means cooperating with said conduit means for controlling the movement of said piston, said servo-valve means being operatively connected to said trigger for movement between a first position in which said space is connected to said inlet means and a second position in which said of said valve chamber, said second end wall being formed with passages therethrough communicating with said valve chamber and said cylinder; a piston arranged in said cylinder for sliding movement between said end walls thereof; a main valve in said valve chamber seated on said valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said inlet and said outlet means thereof and being operatively connected with said piston so as to be raised thereby from said valve seat when said piston moves toward said first end wall; conduit means in said casing for placing the space between said first end wall of said cylinder and said piston in communication with said inlet means and said outlet means; servo-valve means cooperating with said conduit means for controlling the movement of said piston, said servo-valve means being operatively connected to said trigger for movement between a first position in which said space is connected to said inlet means and a second position in which said space is connected to said outlet means; spring means operatively connected to said main valve and tending to press said main valve onto said valve seat; and a pilot valve within said valve chamber also for controlling fluid flow be- I tween said inlet and outlet means thereof, said pilot valve space is connected to said outlet means; a pilot valve within said valve chamber concentric with said tubular stem also for controlling fluid flow between said inlet and outlet means thereof, said pilot valve being seated in said main valve; and a second stem passing through said tubular stem and being connected at one end thereof to said trigger and at the other end thereof to said pilot valve so that said pilot valve may be operated by said trigger.

9. In a nozzle for dispensing liquids, in combination, a casing having a valve chamber and having inlet and outlet means communicating therewith, said outlet means being formed with a valve seat; a trigger pivoted on said casing; a cylinder having a first end wall spaced from said valve chamber and a second end wall forming part being seated in said main valve and being connected to said trigger to be operated thereby.

10. In a nozzle for dispensing liquids, in combination, a casing having a valve chamber and having inlet and outlet means communicating therewith, said outlet means being formed with a valve seat; a trigger pivoted on said casing; a cylinder in said casing having an end wall and communicating at the side thereof opposite said end wall with said valve chamber; a piston arranged in said cylinder for sliding movement toward and away from said end wall; a main valve in said valve chamber seated on said valve seat for controlling fluid flow between said inlet and said outlet means thereof and being operatively connected with said piston so as to be raised thereby from said valve seat, said main valve being formed with an opening therethrough communicating with said valve chamber and said outlet means; conduit means in said casing for placing the space between said end wall of said cylinder and said piston in communication with said inlet means and said outlet means; servo-valve means cooperating with said conduit means for controlling the movement of said piston, said servo-valve means being operatively connected to said trigger for movement between a first position in which said space is connected to said inlet means and a second position in which said space is connected to said outlet means; a pilot valve located in said opening of said main valve and being movable between an open position in which said pilot valve opens said opening in said main valveand a closed position in which said pilot valve closes said opening,

said pilot valve being operatively connected to said trigger to be moved thereby from said closed to said open position thereof; and spring means operatively connected to said pilot valve for moving said pilot valve from said open to said closed position thereof upon re lease of said trigger.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Batchelor Sept. 19, 1899 633,415 1,209,753 Philips Dec. 26, 1916 Zoerb July 25, 1933 

